Robert Swanson's photos

We parked our RV near the Balloon Fiesta grounds, in the area of the "landing field". When the wind was right, we had many balloons drift over us. It was easy to sit in our comfortable chairs and point the cameras up into the sky. See: swansonphotos.com/balloon_fiesta

We were visiting a state park near Haines, Alaska, when a crowd of people moved towards us rather rapidly. They said there was a brown bear walking along the lakeshore and they were getting out of the way. We set up our long telephoto lenses on our cameras, and took a look around. Indeed this bear was walking the shoreline, and we managed to get some interesting views. OK, now for the Sunday Challenge . I noted from the invitation that the subject could be an actual "sliding door" or some such object, or could be a moment in one's life where a simple decision could have a major effect. Of all the photos I've posted to Ipernity, this would be the nearest to a "sliding door" moment. We drove into the parking lot of the state park, and took our cameras out for some photo opportunities. I was first out, while Sandra gathered her equipment. I turned right, and walked to the hill overlooking the lake and river. There was the bear, and this is the photo. If I had turned left, I would have walked right into the path of this grizzly bear, and who can predict the outcome of that collision. On review, I consider many such "sliding door" experiences in my life, but I cannot immediately find any other photos that would express them. That is a bit ironic, since it seems like I had a camera around my neck for most of my youth, from 15 years old and onward.

One of the major gardens in the world, Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island, Canada. We have enjoyed visiting several times. Each season provides different color. The plantings are maintained very carefully, so there is something to see at every visit.

Baobab tree at Bandia Nature Reserve, Senegal. While most of our tour of this area was for the various animals, these trees really impressed. The trunk can store a lot of water, something that is needed in the dry savannah.

There are over 10,000 bears in this small building near Mount Rushmore, South Dakota. Not shown is the bear we donated. This place is currently (2021) closed, sad to say. See: swansonphotos.com/bears.html

We were on another cruise ship, docked in Honolulu Harbor. Across the way was the Regal Princess, a P & O cruise ship, based in Australia.

Now, this is not the best quality image, etc, but it shows how we used to make our own pizza from scratch. Every Sunday on Maui, we made these, often more than one, and often with friends in for dinner. Half of the pizza has anchovies, just one of the many combinations we tried. This photo is also one of our earliest attempts at digital photography.

We enjoyed our visit to Brugge, Belgium. We stopped at Cambrinus, which is a major beer cafe. This is their "house beer". Certainly made our walk through town much easier. Happy Table Tuesday, adds this, along with Tilley hat and beer. Hopefully a very nice combination!

Taken on our 2007 cruise in Alaska. This is just one sight in College Fjord. The glaciers and mountains are quite spectacular. We later discovered that most of the time, the sun does not shine here, and the fjord is often shrouded in fog and mist.

Taken at the Pine Country Restaurant in Williams, Arizona. This restaurant offers many fantastic pies, including this chocolate cream.

Yet another yummy dessert on the Holland-American Prinsendam.

Just one wonderful dessert experience on the cruise ship Prinsendam. Those little squiggles are filled with chocolate ganache.

Chocolate goodies on the Holland-American cruise ship Prinsendam.

If you are shut-in, at least you can make your own cookies. These chocolate chip macadamia cookies were served at an Oktoberfest event held on Maui. (Yep, we celebrated Oktoberfest every year we were on the island.)

We attended a student-run "final exam" dinner at Maui Community College. They have a very aggressive training program. This a different view of the lovely chocolates that were part of the dinner goodies. Something for those shut in, and thinking about chocolate, chocolate, chocolate....

We attended a student-run "final exam" dinner at Maui Community College. They have a very aggressive training program. These lovely chocolates were part of the dinner goodies. Something for those shut in, and thinking about chocolate, chocolate, chocolate....

Taken during our 2010 cruise of the Mediterranean. Image processed with GIMP.

This was taken in the fall, and there was snow on the mountains above the harbor. Taken during our 2010 cruise of the Mediterranean. Image processed with GIMP.